Choosing Backup Boilers and Furnaces: Page 2 of 2

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with a secondary combustion chamber, which increases efficiency by burning the gases produced in the primary chamber. This means less wood is consumed to produce heat, and less pollution escapes. Some secondary chambers even have a separate air supply for improved efficiency and reduced creosote deposits in the chimney.

An interesting development in the furnace market is the outdoor model. Some companies produce shed-sized models that can sit as far as 500 feet away from the building, pumping hot water through underground, insulated pipes to the home. They can power water-based heating systems, the domestic hot water supply, and even forced-air heating. These furnaces are high-efficiency models made of heavy-gauge stainless (often titanium-strengthened) steel, which last a long time and come in a variety of colors to blend with the home and surroundings. They are easy to load and maintain, though you have to go outside in the cold, of course!